DETROIT, May 18, 2011 – To provide automakers with updated, technical information for the design and manufacture of steel bumpers, the Steel Market Development Institute’s (SMDI) Bumper Group announced today the publishing of its 4th edition of the Steel Bumper Systems for Passenger Cars and Light Trucks product manual. Details of the manual were unveiled today at SMDI’s Great Designs in Steel Conference in Livonia, Mich.

“With constant changes in regulations and the integration of new bumper features such as fog lamps and grills, the steel bumper systems manual is a great way to keep manufacturers updated on the latest trends and issues,” Ronald Krupitzer, vice president, automotive market for SMDI, said. “Since there is little information published on bumpers, the manual – which is one of the most popular items on our website – will provide manufacturers with knowledge to develop lightweight and cost-competitive systems for future vehicles.”

Originally published in 1998, the 189-page manual is the fourth update in a series featuring information on materials, design, manufacturing, government regulations and cost. Sections include: bumper systems and components; steel materials for bumpers; manufacturing processes and considerations; design concepts; safety standards in North America and Europe; and steel versus aluminum and composite bumper beams.

The Bumper Group is part of the Automotive Applications Council, a division of the Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI), a business unit of the American Iron and Steel Institute. SMDI grows and maintains the use of steel through strategies that promote cost-effective solutions in the automotive, construction and container markets, as well as for new growth opportunities in emerging steel markets. For more news or information, visit www.autosteel.org.